City of Hudson to seek grant increase

The city of Hudson will pursue $500,000 in grant funding to apply toward an ongoing downtown rehabilitation project, an increase of $100,000 over an agreement drafted last year.

On Aug. 20, the Hudson City Council approved a resolution to submit an application for a community development block grant for $400,000 through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The grants are part of the rental rehabilitation community development block grant program, which enables municipalities and business owners to upgrade living spaces above commercial outlets.

Eriksen Development Co. is acting as the city’s third-party administrator in the grant-seeking process.

Hudson City Manager Steve Hartsel said MSHDA requires having such an administrator to receive a community development block grant. The administrator is compensated by the state and would guide the city at no cost, Hartsel said.

The living spaces would be made available to those seeking low- to medium-income housing.

Over the past several years, the city has sought and received grants to improve the facades of the downtown historic buildings.

In other businessThe Hudson City Council at its meeting Tuesday also:

— Acknowledged with a resolution and certificate city employee Brad Wilson, who observed 15 years of service Feb. 15.

— Reappointed Lee Daugherty as the council representative on the Hudson Carnegie District Library Board in a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Lee Ann Minton cast the lone “no” vote. Minton has been a vocal opponent of the library moving away from a city entity to an independent organization.

“When the city acknowledges this is not a smart move, I will acquiesce,” she said. “Until then, I vote no.”

— Authorized Hartsel to sign an agreement with Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering of Kalamazoo to inspect the city’s bridges for $1,300. The inspections are routine and are required by the Michigan Department of Transportation.